Mile High Orange Slice Cake

This old-fashioned cake has been a favorite for generations! This recipe makes a dense, moist cake that weighs almost 8 pounds.

2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cup) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
5 eggs⁠⁠, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup whole buttermilk, room temperature
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 1/2 cups cake flour or White Lily All Purpose Flour, divided
1 lb (2 8oz packages) sugared chopped dates ⁠⠀⁠⁠⁠
1 1/2 lb (about 4 cups after slicing) orange slice candy, sliced⁠⁠⁠
2 1/2 cups (10oz package) pecans, roughly chopped
1 1/3 cups shredded sweetened coconut ⁠⠀⁠⁠⁠

Preheat oven to 300°F. Prepare Old Country Kitchenware square tube pan by fitting a parchment paper square between the two pieces and brushing with pan coat. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 6 minutes at medium speed). Beat in eggs one at a time. Beat in 2 1/2 cups flour, vanilla extract and salt. Combine buttermilk and baking soda. With the mixer running, drizzle in buttermilk mixture. Scrape bottom and sides of bowl and beat for 10 seconds. In the largest bowl you have, combine remaining 2 cups flour, dates, orange slice candy, pecans, and coconut. Toss together to make sure everything is coated with flour, separating any stuck candy pieces. Fold in the cake batter until fully combined. Scoop batter to prepared pan and push down and smooth top with a spatula. Bake for 3 hours or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. While the cake is baking, prepare the orange syrup. While the cake is still hot, poke 25-30 holes all over the cake with a skewer. Pour about half the syrup over the cake and into the holes. Let cool for 3 hours or until the center tube piece is no longer warm to the touch. Unmold the cake by placing it over a metal can and pushing down to remove the outer piece. Lift or turn the cake out onto a rimmed serving plate. Brush or pour remaining syrup over the top and sides of the cake.

Orange Syrup

3/4 cup orange juice ⁠⠀⁠⁠⁠
2 cups sugar ⁠
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a medium pot, bring orange juice, sugar, and vanilla extract to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, remove from heat.